Violet Forsythe has finally found peace.
She successfully escaped a coven of malignant vampires, worked hard to get an education, and has actually managed to pull herself together.
But, as old acquaintances begin to resurface, the life that Violet w...
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It didn't take long before I spotted Jane, Alec, and Felix.
They stood motionlessly at the top of a cliff over looking the forest. As Demetri and I drew closer to them, ascending the cliff, it occurred to me that they were probably waiting for him to collect me.
The whole tracking gift was an incredibly useful one; I was right to assume that Demetri was too useful to the coven to face any dire repercussions from our antics.
"Took you long enough," Jane said without inflection when Demetri and I finally rejoined the group.
Alec looked over at me, studying my facial expression. "What crawled up your ass."
"Nothing," I pouted.
I couldn't wait until the day that he stopped watching me so closely. Considering how long he could hold a grudge, however, I had a feeling that that day wouldn't be arriving any time soon.
"Was that everyone?" Jane asked Demetri, regarding the stragglers.
"Yes," he replied with breezy confidence.
Demetri and I turned to looked over the edge of the cliff with the rest of the gang. From up there, we had a stunning view of the village and castle being consumed by the massive, uncontrollable fire.
"I can't believe we actually pulled this off," I said.
"Once word of this gets around to the other covens around the world," Felix said, "no one will ever dare cross us again."
"No one, except the Cullens," Demetri said.
Alec scoffed but didn't say anything.
A cold smile spread across Jane's face. "We'll see about that."
* * *
I never thought I'd say it, but it felt so good to arrive back in Volterra.
Even though I hadn't been back in the castle in half a decade, everything felt so familiar.
I was home.
"Were is Aro?" Jane barked the receptionist of the week as we cruised through the front lobby.
"Hello, Jane," the woman smiled, attempting to butter her up. "Aro, Marcus, and Caius are currently in the throne room."
My throat burned from thirst as I stared at the stunning brunette that sat behind the receptionist desk. I could hear her steady pulse, tempting me with every beat.
'I'm not a slave to my instincts.'
I couldn't help but notice when her eyes flicked over to Demetri, who stood a few feet behind Jane. Her face lit up when she made eye contact with him.
"Good," Jane said before marching off toward the doors that led to the rest of the castle.
"Hello, Demetri," the receptionist said with a flirty smile. Her eyes grew clouded with desire.
"Sienna," Demetri acknowledged her with a charming smile.
A fresh wave of temptation rolled through me as I glanced between Demetri and the human.
I certainly was thirsty...
And no one would miss her - around the castle, at least...
I caught a glimpse of Alec smirking as he passed me. The flash of anger I felt snapped me out of my trance.
I pushed myself to follow Jane, resisting the urge to launch myself over the desk and feed. I reminded myself of how much I hated it when vampires treated humans as disposable toys - especially the poor Volturi receptionists. They were manipulated into a dangerous job and, unbeknownst to them, were lined up for an inevitable, unavoidable death.
"What happened to Anita?" I asked after Jane, Alec, Demetri, Felix, and I were through the doors and making our way swiftly through the long, dark corridors of Volterra Castle.
"Who?" Demetri replied.
Guilt churned in my stomach; I was thankful that I didn't kill that woman in the lobby. She didn't do anything wrong. She didn't deserve it.
But, who did?
"It's good to be home," Alec said casually as he and Jane led the way. "I wonder how Heidi is doing."
I narrowed my eyes at the back of his head but resisted the urge to clap back. Jane giggled, and Felix's expression morphed into one of discomfort.
Demetri, of course, didn't bat an eye at the remark.
"Don't you have a bone to pick with her?" Jane asked me from over her shoulder, joining her brother in his cruel game.
I glared at her, but continued to stay quiet. I knew how the twins liked to play. The more I tried to retaliate, the more they would mock and humiliate me.
"Which one?" Alec asked Jane, his voice dripping with sick glee. "The one about Heidi killing her brother or the one about her bedding her mate over and over and over—"
I reminded myself of Demetri's warning; losing my tempter and acting out as a vampire could very easily result in my death.
Jane let out an icy peal of laughter and Alec joined her.
'He's just upset. I cheated. He caught me red handed. He's just upset.'
"You have some steep competition, sister," Alec said giddily. "Heidi seems to be much better at tormenting Violet than you. You'll have to step up your game."
My jaw went slack. It was one thing when he stood by passively when Jane bullied me, but for him to openly encourage her?
'He's just upset. He's just upset. He's just upset...'
Jane continued to laugh. "My, my, brother! You've certainly changed your tune!"
"I've finally returned to my senses."
"I like you much better this way," Jane said smugly.
"As do I," Alec said as he continued to act like I wasn't walking right behind him. "Though I still need to find a way to dole out punishment. It's too bad she doesn't have any more family to take. Perhaps we should—"
Okay.
Oh-kay.
Ohhh-fucking-kay.
OKAY!
oh ho ho hoooooooooo-kay!
Ahhhhhhhahahahahahahaha————!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAAAHHH
I reached out with both arms and snatched the twins by the hair.
Then, with my newborn strength, I yanked back hard.
